The forward has left Verdão, ending his contract after ten years, and his destination is expected to be Cruzeiro. In a message on social media, he recalled his titles and achievements: "You can be sure that everything is sincere."
Days after the termination of his contract with the club, on Tuesday morning, Dudu bid farewell to Palmeiras through a video on social media. He remembered the achievements, championship titles, the feelings of the fans, and made a request: to never be forgotten.
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You can be sure that this is a very sad day for me, having to convey this message, but I can't help but thank you for everything you have done for me, for my family, for everything you represent, for everyone. The respect, the affection, and the love you have given me.
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I hope you never forget me, never forget the good moments we had at the club, at Allianz, with me wearing the Palmeiras jersey.
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You can be sure that everything is sincere. All of this was so that you would always have the joy of coming back home, and that has always been my mission. I always kept that in mind. I think that if you look back, you will realize that my mission at Palmeiras was well accomplished.
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Dudu says goodbye to Palmeiras: "Never forget me"
In the video, the forward also shared photos of his last game as a Palmeiras player, which was in the last round of the Brazilian Championship against Fluminense, when he stayed on the field with his wife and children, obviously emotional.
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It will be hard for me to be forgotten too, because when you remember the moments of victory, you can be sure that Dudu's name will be up there. But all of this was possible thanks to your support and help, and I will never forget. Thank you very much for the affection and love.
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I never imagined winning so many titles and being a great player. The Palmeiras fans helped me become the Dudu I am today, respected throughout Brazil, with the respect of the fans, and I am very proud of that and I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.
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Palmeiras meant everything to me. When I arrived, no one knew Dudu. I had only heard about a good season at Grêmio. We raised the level of the club. Palmeiras went through a tough time, fighting not to be relegated to Serie B, and when I announced this, I think the fans started to believe in the club again. I think everything Palmeiras is going through today, I had a part in, just like other players.
Extraordinary moments
- I would choose the final of the Copa do Brasil. I think the headed goals I scored in the Libertadores semifinals against Botafogo, against Atlético-MG, in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores against São Paulo. Pacaembu against Corinthians, which was the last game with two fans present. We missed the opponents in the stadium, and I have many unforgettable moments inside me, and they will stay with me forever.
The celebration of the Copa do Brasil final in 2015
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I think it was very spontaneous. Very symbolic. It's a celebration you can put on a plaque in your house and keep for a long time, because it was the return of the feeling we received during an entire week of a special game, and of the fan base that believed in us, and that could be a game against a team in a better moment.
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I think that, because I also went through the experience earlier this year against the same club, what wasn’t so nice was missing the penalty in the first game of the Paulista. It was a party for both me and the fans, because I think I have never seen an atmosphere like the one in the 2015 final against Santos at our stadium.
The forward is on vacation in the United States, and upon returning to the country, he will have to undergo medical exams to sign with Cruzeiro, the club he has been talking about since leaving Verdão.
After ten years, 12 titles, 462 matches, and 88 goals, Palmeiras and Dudu have ended a relationship that seemed unchangeable, with disappointment and discomfort on both sides.
🏆Dudu's Titles
Copa do Brasil (2015)
Four Brazilian Championships (2016, 2018, 2022, and 2023)
Two Libertadores (2020 and 2021)
Three Paulistas (2020, 2022, and 2023)
Recopa Sudamericana (2022)
Supercup of Brazil (2023)
Will there be a goodbye?
Since the announcement of the termination on Thursday, fans have criticized the lack of a farewell ceremony appropriate for the ten years the forward spent at the club.
During the negotiations for the termination of the contract, the board informed Dudu's team that they intended to honor him when he returned from vacation in early 2025.
However, people close to the athlete know that this will not happen. The reason is: because the new club will certainly have already announced the forward, and it is known that Verdão had some months of contract to prepare something.
On the other hand, Palmeiras understands that, without a signed exit agreement, it is not possible to say goodbye to an athlete with an active contract in the last round of the Brazilian Championship.
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